Collapsible display device

ABSTRACT

Two panels of foldable sheet material, which may be integral, can be arranged flat against each other in collapsed condition. Each panel has a main fold line along which it can be folded away from the other panel, and at least one supplementary fold line foldable in a direction opposite to its respective main fold line. When erected, by folding along these fold lines, the device includes a hollow post and wings projecting from the post. The panels may have transverse slits separating adjacent wings so that the latter can extend in different directions. A rigid member introduced between the main fold lines of the panels may keep the post in erect condition. Merchandise-holding means may be mounted on the wings.

United States Patent 2,860,439 11/1958 Johnson Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Brcitenfeld & Levine ABSTRACT: Two panels of foldable sheet material, which may be integral, can be arranged flat against each other in collapsed condition. Each panel has a main fold line along which it can be folded away from the other panel, and at least one supplementary fold line foldab le in a direction opposite to its respective main fold line. When erected, by folding along these fold lines, the device includes a hollow post and wings projecting from the post. The panels may have transverse slits separating adjacent wings so that the latter can extend in different directions. A rigid member introduced between the main fold lines of the panels may keep the post in erect condition. Merchandise-holding means may be mounted on the wings.

PATENTEDAUG 3m! 3596771 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR: JOHN H. Wf/E/Vjfl/ BY MORNEYS COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to a display device of the type which can be folded from a flat collapsed condition into an erect selfsustaining condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible display device which in erect condition includes a support post and wings, for carrying merchandise and/or advertising matter, projecting laterally from the post.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which may be formed from a single sheet offoldable material.

A feature of the invention is that when is is formed'from a single sheet, only one face of the sheetis exposed when the display device is in erect condition. As a result, only one face of the sheet need to be printed with decorative and advertising matter.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a display device comprising essentially two panels adapted to lie flat against each other in collapsed condition, this flat panel assembly being foldable upon itself to further compact the device for shipping and storage purposes.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a face view of a scored and slit sheet from which a display device according to this invention maybe formed;

FIG. 2 is a face view of the sheet after folding and gluing to form the collapsed display device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display device in erect condition;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a merchandise-holding member which may be mounted on a wing of the display device;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the collapsed display of FIG. 2 in a further collapsed condition; and

FIG. 7 is a face view of card which may be used to help maintain the display device in the erect condition of FIG. 3. I

The display device chosen to illustrate this invention may be formed of the single sheet of foldable material 10, shown in FIG. I, such as cardboard. The sheet isscored, slit, and punched as indicated in FIG. 1, and if .dgsire d printedaon one of its faces. These operations may, of cburs'e,'be performedas a continuousprocedure. The score lines, along which the sheet will be folded (and hence referred to hereinafter as fold lines) are indicated by dot-dash lines, the slits are indicated by heavy sold lines, and the punched holes by small circles.

Sheet 10 is furnished with four longitudinal fold lines 11, I2, 13, and 14 each extending from the top edge to the bottom edge 16 of the sheet. These fold lines are preferably parallel to the side edges 17 and 18 of the sheet. Hereinafter, fold lines 11 and 13 will be referred to as main fold lines. Crossing each of fold lines 12 and 14 are a series of longitudinally spacedapart slits 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Each slit is shown perpendicular to the fold line it crosses, and being bisected by the fold line. However, this particular arrangement is not essential.

Sheet 10 is also provided with number of supplementary fold lines 28, which, in the present example are parallel to the fold lines IlI4. A supplementary fold line 28 extends from the top edge 15 of the sheet to the right end of each of slits 21 (as seen in FIG. 1); another supplementary fold line 28 extends from the left end of each slit 21 to the corresponding end of the next succeeding slit 22. The supplementary fold lines are staggered in this way so that a supplementary fold line 28 extends between the corresponding ends of every other pair of successive slits. At the bottom of the sheet two additional fold lines 29 may be provided so that fold lines extend between both ends of each slit 25 and the bottom edge 16.

Two transverse fold lines 30-extend between the side edges 17 and 18 of the sheet in alignment with slits 22 and 24,

respectively. Two pairs of holes 31, equidistantly spaced on opposite sides of each of fold lines 12 and 14, are located beneath the top edge 15 and beneath slits 2I24. Along its bottom edge 16, sheet 10 has a number of slots 32.

Since the present invention is a display device, it is desirable to apply printed matter to is. An advantage of the invention is that only one face of the sheet 10, in the present example the lower face in FIG. I, need be printed. After sheet 10 has been scored, slit, punched, and printed, as described above, its side portions are folded toward the viewer in FIG. I along lines 12 and 14, to bring side edge 18 into registry with fold line 11, whereupon the margin between edge 17 and fold line 11, is secured, as by glue, to the overlapping margin adjacent to edge 18 (see FIG. 2). As a result, a flat two layer arrangement is produced, the structure thus produced comprises two superposed panels secured together along their side edges defined by fold lines 12 and 14. The upper panel 35 in FIG. 2 com prises the portion of sheet 10 between edge 17 and fold line I2 and between edge 18 and fold line 14. The lower panel 36, not visible in FIG. 2, is the portion of sheet 10 between fold lines 12 and 14. It will be seen that one of the main fold lines 11 and 13 extends along each panel 35 and 36.

, As a result of the folding operation, each slit 21-25 is folded in half, thereby producing in each panel 35 and 36 a series of slits extending from each side edge toward its main fold line, the slits being in registry with the corresponding slits of the other panel. Also, each pair of holes 31 in one panel registers with a pair of holes 31 in the other panel. During the folding operation, the portions of sheet 10 beneath each slit 25 and between each pair of fold lines 28 and 29 may be tucked between panels 35 and 36 to form a narrowed, four-ply region at the bottom of the panel assembly.

Manufacture of the panel assembly of FIG. 2 is now complete and ready for shipment to the location where the display device will be used. To make the device more compact for shipment, it may be accordion folded along lines 30, as indicated in FIG. 6. It is contemplated that a number of accesso ries will be shipped with the panel assembly 35, 36. Among these may be a header 39 (FIG. 7) made of relatively rigid sheet material; a suitable base for the display the base inthis example comprising simply four strips 40 (FIG. 3) each having a slot in its upper edge for engagement with one of the slots 32; and a number of merchandise support members 41 (FIG. 5).

To convert the display device from its flattened condition of FIG. 2 to its condition of FIG. 3, the side edges 12 and 14 of the device are'simply pushed toward each other. Due to the way in which the sheet 10 is scored, pushing edges 12 and 14 toward each other causes the panels 35 and 36 to bend away from each other along their respective main fold lines 11 and 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and causes each panel to bend along each of its supplementary fold lines 28 in a direction opposite to the direction in which its main fold line bends.

The result, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is that the central portions of panels 35 and 36 between supplementary fold lines 28 define a hollow post 44, and the side portions of the panels outwardly of the supplementary fold lines, which remain in overlapping condition, define wings 45 projecting from the post. The wings 45 project at angles to each other, these angles in the present example being right angles (see FIG. 4) This results from the location of a supplementary fold line 28 of each panel on only one side of each slit, i.e., the supplementary fold lines of each panel on one side of its main fold line extend between every other pair of successive slits, and the supplementary fold lines of the same panel but on the other side of the man fold line extend between alternate pairs of slits. Also, the supplementary fold lines of the panels, located on the same side of their respective main fold lines extend between alternate pairs of slits. 7

Since the inherent resilience of the sheet material tends to flatten the display when it is erected, i.e., unfold it toward its FIG. 2 condition, it is desirable to place a relatively rigid element between the main fold lines t prevent flattening The display header 39 admirably serves this function, as shown in FIG; 3. The illustrative header 39 includes an oval display panel, which may'carry display matter on one or both faces, and a tab 46 having a length equal to the distance between the main fold lines 11 and 13 when the display device is erected.

The erect display could stand on the lower end of post 44, but to stabilize it base members 40 are engaged with slots 32 to form outwardly projecting feet. The lower end of post 44 does not have outwardly projecting wings, since these portions were tucked between the panels 35 and 36, as described above, and are located inside the post, as shown in H08. 3 and 4. However, if desired these portion can be left outside to form additional wings 45.

The display device could be used solely as an advertising display, in which case holes 31 need not be provided. However, if it is desired that the display carry merchandise, members 41 are used. Each merchandise support member comprises a generally L-shaped piece including a long arm 48 and a short leg 49. Secured to leg 49 is a U-shaped piece 50 the ends 51 of which are bent upwardly. A support member 41 may be secured to a wing 45 by slipping ends 51 through the holes 31 until leg 49 engages the wing. Merchandise may then be suspended from arm 48.

The display illustrated and described above could be modified by varying the number and position of wings 45.

Thus, for example, the wings projecting from one side of the post 44 could be eliminated. Alternatively, although five tiers of wings are shown, a display device having only a single tier, i.e., two wings may prove useful in some circumstances.

The invention has been shown and described in preferred form only and by way of example, and many variations may be made in the invention which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar a such limitations are included in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A collapsible display device comprising two panels of foldable sheet material adapted to lie flat against each other when the device is collapsed each panel having a main fold line extending from its top to its bottom edge, and at least one supplementary fold line generally parallel to said main fold line and located between said main fold line and one side edge of the panel, each panel being foldable along its main fold line in a direction away from the other panel, and each supplementary fold line being foldable in a direction opposite to that of its respective main fold line, and means connecting said panels together at points between the side edges of said panels and said supplementary fold lines, whereby when the display device is arranged in erect condition the portions of said panels between said supplementary fold lines move away from each other to define a post of the device and the portions of said panelsoutwardly of said supplementary fold lines define wings projecting from the post.

2. A collapsible display as defined in claim 1 wherein said supplementary fold lines are on opposite sides of said main fold lines.

3. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a slit in each panel extending from a side edge of the panel toward its main fold line, said slits being in registry, a supplementary fold line each panel extending on only one side of said registered slits, said supplementary fold lines extending in opposite directions from said slits, whereby whenthe display device is arranged in erect condition two adjacent wings are formed on opposite sides of said registered slits, projecting at and angle to each other.

4. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 3 including a second slit in each panel extending from its other side edge toward its main fold line, said second slits being in registry with each other, a second supplementary fold line of each panel extending on only one side of said second slits, said second slits and said first-mentioned and second supplementary fold lines of each panel extending in opposite directions from said first mentioned and second slits, respectivel 5. A collapsible display device as defined in claim including a plurality of slits extending from one'side edge of each panel toward its main fold line, said slits being spaced apart along said one edge, corresponding slits in said panels being in registry, and a supplementary fold line of each panel extending between every other pair of successive slits in that panel, the supplementary fold lines of said panels extending between alternate pairs of successive slits.

6. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels are connected together at their corresponding side edges.

7. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels form parts of a single sheet of foldable material.

8. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a base for supporting the erected device in upright condition.

9. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a rigid member adapted to fit between the main fold lines of said panels when the display device is in erect condition to maintain the portions of said panels between said supplementary fold lines separated 10. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including merchandise holding means adapted to be secured to the wing-defining portions of said panels.

11. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein each panel has a transverse fold line crossing its main fold line, said transverse fold lines being in registry, whereby the display device when in collapsed condition may be folded upon itself. 

1. A collapsible display device comprising two panels of foldable sheet material adapted to lie flat against each other when the device is collapsed each panel having a main fold line extending from its top to its bottom edge, and at least one supplementary fold line generally paraLlel to said main fold line and located between said main fold line and one side edge of the panel, each panel being foldable along its main fold line in a direction away from the other panel, and each supplementary fold line being foldable in a direction opposite to that of its respective main fold line, and means connecting said panels together at points between the side edges of said panels and said supplementary fold lines, whereby when the display device is arranged in erect condition the portions of said panels between said supplementary fold lines move away from each other to define a post of the device and the portions of said panels outwardly of said supplementary fold lines define wings projecting from the post.
 2. A collapsible display as defined in claim 1 wherein said supplementary fold lines are on opposite sides of said main fold lines.
 3. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a slit in each panel extending from a side edge of the panel toward its main fold line, said slits being in registry, a supplementary fold line each panel extending on only one side of said registered slits, said supplementary fold lines extending in opposite directions from said slits, whereby when the display device is arranged in erect condition two adjacent wings are formed on opposite sides of said registered slits, projecting at and angle to each other.
 4. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 3 including a second slit in each panel extending from its other side edge toward its main fold line, said second slits being in registry with each other, a second supplementary fold line of each panel extending on only one side of said second slits, said second slits and said first-mentioned and second supplementary fold lines of each panel extending in opposite directions from said first-mentioned and second slits, respectively.
 5. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 3 including a plurality of slits extending from one side edge of each panel toward its main fold line, said slits being spaced apart along said one edge, corresponding slits in said panels being in registry, and a supplementary fold line of each panel extending between every other pair of successive slits in that panel, the supplementary fold lines of said panels extending between alternate pairs of successive slits.
 6. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels are connected together at their corresponding side edges.
 7. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels form parts of a single sheet of foldable material.
 8. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a base for supporting the erected device in upright condition.
 9. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including a rigid member adapted to fit between the main fold lines of said panels when the display device is in erect condition to maintain the portions of said panels between said supplementary fold lines separated
 10. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 including merchandise holding means adapted to be secured to the wing-defining portions of said panels.
 11. A collapsible display device as defined in claim 1 wherein each panel has a transverse fold line crossing its main fold line, said transverse fold lines being in registry, whereby the display device when in collapsed condition may be folded upon itself. 